A year ago, the Big Game was played Oct. 20 at Cal -- the earliest in the history of the 115-game series. Pac-12 officials said scheduling complications because of the expanded conference and new TV arrangements resulted in the early date.

Cal has Pac-12 home dates against Washington State on Oct. 5, Oregon State on Oct. 19, Arizona on Nov. 2 and USC on Nov. 9.

The Bears' other conference road games are against Oregon on Sept. 28, UCLA on Oct. 12, Washington on Oct. 26 and Colorado on Nov. 16.

Cal plays only Saturday games next season, including nonconference home games against Northwestern on Aug. 31, Portland State on Sept. 7 and Ohio State on Sept. 14.

Stanford opens Sept. 7 at home against San Jose State and finishes its regular season at home Nov. 30 against Notre Dame. Its other nonconference game is Sept. 14 at Army.

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Times and television schedules will be announced later.

The Pac-12 championship game is Dec. 7.

Soccer

The Earthquakes face five tough opponents in March to kick off the MLS season. The reigning Supporters' Shield champions open March 3 at Buck Shaw Stadium against Real Salt Lake and play host to New York the next Sunday. San Jose also plays host to Seattle on March 23 and visits Columbus and Houston in March. The 34-game regular season ends Oct. 26.

The Quakes report to camp next week, with full practice starting Jan. 21.

For the complete Quakes schedule, see page 5.

Former Santa Clara and Earthquakes star defender Ryan Cochrane was named a Broncos assistant coach. Cochrane played in San Jose in 2008-09 and won two MLS titles with the Houston Dynamo.

NBA D-League

Former Cal star Jorge Gutierrez had 14 points, six rebounds and five assists, leading the Canton Charge (Cleveland Cavaliers) to a 104-93 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors (Golden State) in Reno. Taylor Griffin had 23 points for Santa Cruz (9-6).

Golf

Michael Brannan, an outstanding amateur golfer in Northern California for four decades, died Tuesday after a battle with cancer. He was 57. Nine months earlier, the Alamo resident won the NCGA Senior Championship.